About: This book is the result of a Heritage Council-funded project that was conducted mainly during the summer of 2004. The authors investigated the most prominent crannog or lake dwelling at Lough Derravaragh in County Westmeath and have produced a preliminary but detailed report which describes the site and its artefacts and which places it in both its pre-historic and historic context. It may be of interest to note that Lough Derravaragh is the location of the principal events in the ‘Children of Lir’ saga where the children were condemned to live as swans for 300 years.

Publisher / Place of Publication: Town House and Country House Ltd. / Trinity House, Charleston Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

About: This book is part of the ‘Irish Treasures Series’ which introduces people to various aspects of Irish archaeology, history, heritage and craft. Crannogs were artificial islands built in lakes or swamps and remained in use for more than 1000 years. The author specialises in the archaeology of waters and lakes, whose preservative properties archive a unique assemblage of otherwise fragile materials and objects.

ID number(s): 1860590918

Chapters: [What are crannogs] Studying crannogs — Crannogs through the centuries — Where crannogs are found — How crannogs were built — Houses on crannogs — Palisades — Access by boat or causeway — [Life on crannogs] Farming and domestic economy — Craft and industry — Attack and defence — Crannogs and early Irish society — Select bibliography — Modern crannog reconstructions.

WW Connection #1: The author is a native of Valleymount in West Wicklow.

Extra #1: includes photographs or maps or illustrations on most pages.